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Business booms near Jazz Fest

Thousands of people are spending a lot of time in Downtown Rochester this week for the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival and that means big business.

Organizers say nearly 200,000 people came to the festival last year and this year they're expecting another great turn out.

Business owners News10NBC spoke to Sunday say they can't think of one downside to the festival. It's bringing more people in and they hope those people come back again.

Thousands of people are coming downtown to hear hundreds of acts, all part of the Jazz Festival.

“People from California, Chicago, Michigan (are) all coming in. The police department has been great, there has been no trouble. The acts are out of this world. I mean this is big time,” Moe Alaimo from Havana Moe's.

For business owners along this stretch of the city, they are hoping these toes come tapping into their shop.

“Mainly, it's just really good business. We get a ton of people in. The business is doing really well in general, but we've had a packed house the past couple nights,” said Adair Finucane, who works at Victoire Belgian Beer Bar.

“The benefits for this whole area is the hotels are full. People are eating at all the restaurants. They can't believe how pretty the Eastman Theatre is. The parking has been great. There's been no trouble. This is wonderful, wonderful event,” said Alaimo.

Businesses hope this exposure will mean new customers.

“I've had a bunch of people come in and say, 'Hey it's our first time. What can you tell us about the beer? What can you tell us about the food?' So it's been really nice. I'm sure there are going to be people who came in for Jazz Fest who are definitely going to come back. I've had a couple tables say that, 'We've just found you guys. We're so excited. We're coming back,'” said Finucane.

Business owners say everything has been running smoothly too, from parking to security.

But if parking is a concern for you the festival does offer a free shuttle.